Hi- we are off to Belize for the first time next week- can't wait. You have all convinced me that we should eat at Cafe Picasso but I am wondering what the dress code would be. I know that most of Belize is very casual but I sense that dress here might be a bit more than the shorts and tee I'll mostly be wearing. So- Do I pack a dress?

bring something that looks good with no ironing...maybe something rayon or silk/cotton blend...if things go well this could come in handy

Toad, what do you mean, if things go well??? Anyway, yes do bring a dress or two. Or better yet, buy one when you get down, there are some great little shops in San Pedro for that kind of thing. Most people that actually live in San Pedro dress to go out for dinner, remember it is not an everyday thing no matter where you live, gals wear heels and all that, while a lot of visitors, not all, some dress to kill, and some notorious expats tend to wear the same thing for dinner out as they wore on the boat! I have been forced to go to "nicer" places in rather scrubby clothes, because there was no time to go home and change after a day on the water and a drink or two to discuss "da fish". How you dress really doesn't matter to anybody but you, there is no such thing as the right thing in San Pedro, but it sure is nice to look good every once in a while! Just have a great time, will you!

There is no dress code in SP that i know of.
What you wore on the boat fishing is accepted anywhere. I never saw anyone with heels on, mostly without any shoes or sandals! :p

I always bring 1 summer floozy dress when I go down. Don't ALWAYS end up wearing tho' -

fishaman neba sa a fish stink!

A summer floozy dress sounds great. I used to have a bright orange floaty think that was horrid here on the mainland, but just the thing for the tropics. It is lost. Sigh. But I do have others. And thanks- I am certain we will have a great time. Although it is our first time in Belize, we spent years in Micronesia, so we know about the small island life, and can not wait to get back to one. My 3 kids keep singing the song- "Cause I want to get back to the island- it's a place for you and me" etc etc. We will be on Ambergris for a couple of days at the Caribbe Villas, then to CC for 6 nights, in a house, then up to Maya Mountain, then to Gails Point and parts south. If only I could get this $%^&#%&#% grant done so I could get out of here! Say hello if you see us- the walking UN (which I may have described before)- two white old parents, 2 Tibetan teenagers (one of each), and a Pacific Islander 10 year old boy. We are hard to miss!

Cheers- Merilyne

We had dinner at Casa Picasso and enjoyed it. It is off the beach so there are mosquitos, but they have repellant there, and it isn't really an issue inside the restaurant. It can get pricy with wine added as most bottles are in the $30-40 range-go for the martinis. Nice tastefully decorated place. Jambel's was my favorite for the food itself. We loved our trip there(just got back two weeks ago.)

Wear whatever you like, I can assure you it will be WELL inside our very rigorous dress code "whatever you have on"
Chris, chief dishwasher and owner of Casa Picasso

San Pedro Dress Code: Wear clothes!!

Beachy- Thanks- that set of clothing restrictions I can live with. Although a floozy summer dress sound like fun. The kids on the other hand will be in their shorts- I might be able to get my daughter into a skort. If all goes as planned- see you next Sat. night- what time do you open?

And how far are you from Caribbe Island?

it took us about 7 minutes to get to cafe picasso from caribe island (my fave places!!!) by golf cart. we wore shorts & nice tanks. it was wonderful, but make sure you save room for the desserts, they were great (gran marnier creme brulee & pineapple cobbler...mouth still watering!). little geckoes climb all over the outside screens & chirp at you!very nice eating, but casual dress is fine.

5waldos,
We open at 5:30 nightly, closed on sundays. If you'd like, we will always be happy to pay your taxi fare. When you pull up, just tell the driver we're paying. We look forward to seeing you! Think I can pick you out from your description of your party?
Chris of Casa Picasso

Beachy, we are returning to San Pedro in August and would love to check out Casa Picasso. We didn't make it there during our first visit in March. What do you have in the way of food for vegetarians? (besides giant martini's! ) mobunny

examples: they have this olive spread tappas vicki loves, and i had brie with green apples. i'm sure there was more...the pastas were offered in pesto or meatless marinara. we had both!

Yum. Thanks for the info! mobunny

Mobunny,
Our chef (my wife) is a pescaterian, read: she'll only eat fish.
That said, we offer a good many choices for veggies of all denominations, some items are strictly veggie(nothing with eyes or a shadow), the maranara,the garlic, several tapa plates, etc. then threre's if you eat cheese or not, another class of veggie altogether....ya know... there are a good number of choices for this level too, all in all regardless of your level of vegetarianism, we've got something for you There is a vegetarian cafe in the San Telmo area where the Bamboo shop is located, be sure and check them out too!
Chris

Chris, Thanks for the response. We'll be sure and stop by this time around! Just as an aside...it was very easy as vegetarians (no meat, no seafood) to eat on San Pedro. We had lot's of choices and everything was delicous. mobunny

Chris- Can't wait- see you Saturday nigt. And I would be willing to bet that you will have no trouble figuring out who we are. If you want to startle the begeesis out of the kids- say hello to Jordan (oldest son) Dechen (day chin- my daughter) and Ives the older and the younger (husband and smallest). That out to sit them right up!

Sadly, I don't much care for martinis. But that won't stop us- and yes, I understand that this is a serious character fault. Cheers- Meilyne

Chris- Can't wait- see you Saturday nigt. And I would be willing to bet that you will have no trouble figuring out who we are. If you want to startle the begeesis out of the kids- say hello to Jordan (oldest son) Dechen (day chin- my daughter) and Ives the older and the younger (husband and smallest). That out to sit them right up!

Sadly, I don't much care for martinis. But that won't stop us- and yes, I understand that this is a serious character fault. Cheers- Merilyne

you'll enjoy everything at Cafe Picasso!Atmosphere,wines and wonderful variety. Jen's Ceasar salad is lovely. Chris mentioned the Bamboo place for vegetarian dishes. We love the egglplant sandwich,served on a wonderful multigrain bread of their own recipe, eggsalad and an avacado and swiss that is great too.

Can I get directions to the "vegetarian cafe in the San Telmo area where the Bamboo shop is"? Anybody know what it's called? Thanks! mobunny

The Bamboo Shop is the name of the establishment, they make bamboo furniture and the front is where they sell food and smoothies or liquados. It is just before you get to Banyan Bay.

Thanks for the directions. mobunny

almost directly across the street from another great food stop not to be missed!

You would be speaking of the famed Antonjitos San Telmo: a good spot to be sure. Be sure and stop for anything you might possibly need at Marina's store, they have almost everything, you just gotta look, its there. where else can you buy one cigarette?
Chris of Casa Picasso thanks everyone for the warm comments!!!

The absolute best restaurant on AC and I have been a restaurant owner for over 30 years. If you are limited to one fairly expensive night out this is the place you want to eat at. Chris you and your wife are doing a marvelous job there. We ate there with our kids in June with Butch and Vicki on our last night on AC. It was a shame we waited until the last night to try you, but I promise on our next visit to AC we will be there plenty of nights!

While Caribe Island's official position is that Our Restaurant is the best on the Island (after all, Sherlette's fry jacks are delish!!!), I ALWAYS recommend Casa Picasso's as THE Don't Miss Restaurant on the Island!!!!!
It is consistantly the best, great service, extraordinary food, wonderful atmosphere..... That's where we take all of our friends!!!
I have eaten at almost every place on in San Pedro, and Chris and his staff just can't be beat!

Perfect- we eat at Caribbe Friday night after arriving, and after a Belikin and splash on the trampoline, and Cafe Picasso sat night. Then we head over to CC. Sounds like we are just about to have the best of all possible worlds. Now if I could only get the five of us packed!

PS I don't know about jackets, but we are certainly looking forward to some coconut pie. And fresh coconut milk right from the treee. Can it really be day after tomorrow? Yea!!!

Have you tried the new Thai Restaurant it is called Tastes Of Thailand they have a large Vegetarian menu

Thanks to all for your help and suggestions. We only have 2 nights on AC, so we'll have to leave Taste of Thai for another trip. Now I really have to get serious about packing, or we'll be arriving suitcaseless. Or at least snorkel-less. Will let you all know how it goes- and say hello should you see us wandering about. Cheers!

Enjoy your travels, keep your eyes open for all that awaits you. Belize is an amazing place to visit.

forget the suitcases, all ya need is the snorkel gear

You haven't traveled with a teenager lately. Got the snorkel gear (5 sets), and just about everything else. We are bringing an entire suitcase of school goodies for Gails Point- so much for traveling light! Also blows the carry on since we have about 2 dz little scizzors. Oh well- in less than 12 hours we are off. Cheers to all- thanks to everyone I can taste the Belikin!

don't forget Jane's ziplocks